VETERINARY SCIENCE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11752, 28 November 1903, Page 9

VETERINARY SCIENCE IN NEW ZEALAND.

MR QILRUTH'S REPORT.

(snax-i. to "m rm-uw.") "*»* WELLINGTOII, NoTetnber 2?. Mr J. A. Ctilrath, Chief Veterinarian- and BacteriologLft, in his report for last year to the Agriculture Department, mentions that for tha first tba* -mcc its formation » record has been kept within the division of its ©est for last year.> This amounted to £12,900, of which £10,000 war paid in salaries, the semo-Zdng £2900 representing the general expenditure, such «• the laboratory and office expenses, travelling expenses, etc., throughout the division. Ths principal expenditure was incurred in the a-iuiniatratio-t of the Inspection Act, no less than £8600 being expended for services under that Act. Deducting that amount from the total expenditure, and another £1450 incurred ia laboratory and clerical duties, investigation of diseases, lectures to farmers, eta, the sum of £2850 remains. For this sum all the routine work by veterinarians was carried out, in addition to which no fewer than 2100 isolated oases of disease among stock (which have required special Journeys) have been dealt with. Taking the low estimate that 60 per cent, of these isolated oasee have benefitted by the adviou given, and the value of the stock saved at the small figure of £8 per head, there has been a saving of some £10.000 worth of stock to the colony.

Attention is again drawn to the number of resignations in. the Department on account of the inadequate remuneration given. The position, iMr GiLruth states, has increased in gravity. The necessity for some system of regie-tra-ion of veterinarian-i ia referred to in order to prevent stock owners being imposed upon, but also to protect qualified men and prevent their diplomas being flouted. Mr Oilruth says:—"A glaring instance of deliberate mi-leading of the public, which I am Informed cannot be punished by law. has been brought under my notice. An Individual, with no qualification, has been, for the past year, advertising that- ho was a duly qualified member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons of London, which the registers proved to be absolutely false; also that be was a member of the Star "Veterinary Association of London, an Association which does not exist. In addition, I have seen it repeatedly asserted in press notices that this individual was engaged and brought to the colony by the ' New Zealand .Oxtvtnvment. Since this report was written, tho individual referred to has been convicted, of horse stealing and! sentenced to 18 months* bard labour. That this State, which employs the majority oi the veterinary surgeons who are within its borders, should be practically the only one in the whole world which has no law to Juwent money being obtained by each a!*.- pretences, not to mention possible and actual damage to valuable stock by such clinrlatans, seems, to any the least, remarkable."

Tlvo lectures to fanners have, on the whole, been well attended, and have been beneficial. There is, however, food for reflection in the fact that young New Zealanders are apparently not at all desirous of adapting then-selves to the more modern and up-to-date methods available. Mr Gilruth says it Is to be regretted that tlie rising generation of agriculturists and poatoraSista in this colony do not appear in any way anxious to improve their knowledge in this matter, young men forming invariably but a small proportion of the audience at any lecture hitherto delivered. One does not like to .ascribe this luke-warm-teas to a lack of intelligence or common sense, although its existence is undoubted. More probably It arises from the fact that they are being spoiled by too much prosperity. Their fathers, who, by solid grit and hard work, raised themselves into comfortable portions, have made life too easy for their sons, many of whom apparently prefer to exercise their minds over such matters as racing, athletics, etc., rather than occupy their spare time in the more useful but evidently less attractive pursuit ol _cie_t_fic knowledgs.